Sunderland will enter a brave new world in the Premier League next season as they take on the significant wealth of the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and North East rivals Newcastle United.

The excitement ahead of the Black Cats return to the top flight was ramped up on Wednesday morning when the fixtures for the new campaign were released and Regis Le Bris and his players discovered they will face West Ham United at the Stadium of Light on the opening day of the season.

Preparations for what lies in wait are fully underway after Sunderland were active during the opening stage of a two-part summer transfer window. There was one new permanent addition to the Black Cats ranks as Roma midfielder Enzo Le Fee made a £20m switch to the Stadium of Light after impressing throughout a loan spell on Wearside during the second half of last season.

There were also two big departures from the squad that had brought an end to Sunderland’s seven-year absence from the top flight. The future of England Under-21 midfielder Jobe Bellingham had dominated the headlines in recent months as he was linked with several clubs across the Premier League and around Europe – and a move to the latter was secured earlier this month as the former Birmingham City youngster secured a potential club record move to Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.